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Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (610.1) Home

For further details about the research, systems, and products of the GMAO, see GMAO Research.

Featured Video

Paint by Particle

Satellites, balloon-borne instruments and ground-based devices make 30 million observations of the atmosphere each day. Yet these measurements still give an incomplete picture of the complex interactions within Earth's atmosphere. Enter climate models. Through mathematical experiments, modelers can move Earth forward or backward in time to create a dynamic portrait of the planet. NASA Goddard’s Global Modeling and Assimilation Office recently ran a simulation of the atmosphere that captured how winds whip aerosols around the world. Such simulations allow scientists to better understand how these tiny particulates travel in the atmosphere and influence weather and climate. In this visualization, covering August 2006 to April 2007, watch as dust and sea salt swirl inside cyclones, carbon bursts from fires, sulfate streams from volcanoes—and see how these aerosols paint the modeled world.

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Press Releases & Feature Stories

Visualization of smoke and other aerosols on globe

Planet on Fire

03.07.2013
Combining observations from the MODIS instruments onboard NASA's Terra and Aqua satellites with the GEOS-5/GOCART atmosphere model reveals fire's global reach.
Montage of 2012 Science images

Reviewing Goddard's 2012 Highlights

12.28.2012
If NASA's Goddard Space Flight Center were to write a holiday letter, there would be no shortage of highlights to share. Gathered here are just a few of the shining moments from the Goddard 'household' in 2012.
NASA meatball

NASA, AGU to Host NASA Social in San Francisco

11.14.2012
NASA and the American Geophysical Union are inviting social media followers to a unique behind-the-scenes NASA Social on Tuesday, Dec. 4, in San Francisco.
Photo of NASA Chief Scientist Waleed Abdalati

Chief Scientist Waleed Abdalati to Discuss 'Looking Homeward Toward Earth: The Power of Perspective,' Oct. 16

10.11.2012
The public is invited to a free event on Tuesday, Oct. 16, at the Library of Congress, Washington...
Photo of Christy Hansen

Students Invited to Connect with Earth Explorers

10.03.2012
NASA Earth explorers will take students on virtual trips around the world to inspire them to pursue science, technology, engineering and math careers.
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Office News

ICR4 Conference Report Available

08.01.2012
The Report of the 4th International Conference on Reanalyses is available from the World Climate Research Programme.

GEOS-5 dust forecasts now part of WMO Warning System

07.23.2012
The near real time GEOS-5 dust forecasts are now included in the WMO Dust and Sand Storm Warning Advisory and Assessment System (WMO SDS-WAS).

Technical Memorandum on Atmospheric Reanalyses is now available

06.01.2012
The NASA Technical Memorandum, Atmospheric Reanalyses—Recent Progress and Prospects for the Future. A Report from a Technical Workshop, April 2010 (TM—2012-104606-Vol 29) is now available.

In April 2010, developers representing each of the major reanalysis centers met at Goddard to discuss technical issues—system advances and lessons learned—associated with recent and ongoing atmospheric reanalyses and plans for the future. The meeting included overviews of each center's development efforts, a discussion of the issues in observations, models and data assimilation, and, finally, identification of priorities for future directions and potential areas of collaboration. This report summarizes the deliberations and recommendations from the meeting as well as some advances since the workshop.
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Overview

The Global Modeling and Assimilation Office (GMAO) works to maximize the impact of satellite observations in climate, weather and atmospheric composition prediction using comprehensive global models and data assimilation. To achieve this goal, the GMAO develops models and assimilation systems, generates products to support NASA instrument teams and the NASA Earth science program, and undertakes scientific research to inform system development pathways.

Assimilation systems have been developed for the atmosphere, ocean, and land surface. GMAO's long-term goal is an integrated Earth system model and assimilation system that treats the individual components in a more coupled and interactive manner. GMAO works within numerous national and international collaborations to support its mission.

Contact Us

Sarah Ann Nipwoda
301.614.6142
Administrative Assistant [610.1]
Dr. Michele M Rienecker
301.614.6142
Chief [610.1]
                                                                                                                                                                                        
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  • Last Updated: 05/23/2013